TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Garcia Getting Back Into The Flow

ADVERTISEMENT

By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: November 27, 2008

TAMPA - Saints quarterback Drew Brees has set the NFL on fire this season, but the hottest quarterback in the league right now might be the Bucs' Jeff Garcia.

No other quarterback has completed a greater percentage of his passes than Garcia the past six games, and only two have compiled a better passer rating during that span.

It's safe to say that when they meet the Bucs in a critical NFC South matchup at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, the Saints will see a completely different Garcia than they saw on opening day.

"The difference is, you're looking now at a player who's gotten a lot of reps," Saints coach Sean Payton said of Garcia. "It doesn't matter who you are; at that position you've got to have that playing time and experience."

Garcia didn't get much of that before the opener, and it showed. He struggled to move his team and finished by forcing a pass into coverage that was picked off by linebacker Scott Fujita.

Garcia's controversial benching followed. Since coming out of exile, however, Garcia has gone 5-1 as a starter and has six touchdown passes against two interceptions.

"I think one of the things you have to do is learn from your mistakes," Garcia said. "I looked at the film of the opener and just tried to get past it as soon as possible."

The biggest thing Garcia had to "get past" was Coach Jon Gruden's decision to go with Brian Griese as his starter the next four weeks.

"Getting benched after that game, or not being given a chance to step back on the field the next week and prove myself, that more than anything was what stuck with me," he said.

Now it's hard to imagine the Bucs not sticking with Garcia. He ranks fifth in the league in passer rating with a 94.5 mark and is a big reason the Bucs are atop their division.

"He's certainly playing with confidence, and he's always been a guy who's been capable of bringing his team back," Payton said. "He's done that at Kansas City, Detroit. He's a guy who's going to get it done for you."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT